2. Mission of WAGGS
The mission of the WAGGGS is to enable
girls and young women to reach for their
potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Vision of WAGGS
WAGGGS believes that the education of
girls, and the education of boys, includes
education for equal partnership. Young men
and young women are taught to recognize
their differences and their similarities, and to
respect each other as individuals.
3. History of WAGGS
Girl Guides were formed in 1910 by Robert Baden-Powell, with the assistance of
his sister Agnes Baden-Powell. After his marriage in 1912, his wife
Olave Baden-Powell took a leading role in the development of Girl Guiding and
Girl Scouting.
As the movement spread, independent national Guiding associations were set
up; however, a need for international cooperation was felt. Lady Baden-Powell
founded an informal International Council in London in February 1918. At the
fourth World Conference held at Camp Edith Macy in 1926, representatives from
several countries suggested the formation of a World Association to take the
place of the informal International Council. After the 1926 International
Conference the Baden-Powell were approached about setting up a formal
association and in 1928 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts was
founded at the 5th International Conference held in Parád, Hungary. Rose Kerr
was Vice Chairman, later Commissioner for Tenderfoot Countries. From 1930 to
1939 WAGGGS occupied a room at the headquarters of the British Girl Guide
Association, until it moved to 9 Palace Street, next door to Our Ark.
In 1920, two leaders from each known Guide country were invited to the British
County Commissioners Conference held at Saint Hugh's College, Oxford. This
became known as the First International Conference. The 13th World Conference
was held in the same college in 1950. The member organizations continue to
meet every three years (initially every two years) at World Conferences.
4. World Conference
The World Conference is the governing body and meets
every three years. If a country has more than one
association, the associations form a federation for
coordination and world representation.
World regions
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts has
five regions: Europe, Arab, Africa, Asia and Western
Hemisphere.
World Centres
WAGGGS operates five World Centres that offer training
programs, activities and lodging for girls and leaders, as well as
members of some other groups and independent travellers.
Activities are primarily focused on international friendship and
cooperation, personal development and leadership training,
enjoyment and service. The Friends of the Four World Centres
organization supports and promotes the centers.
5. World Trefoil
Miss Kari Aas designed the World Trefoil emblem that was
adopted at the World Conference in 1930, a gold trefoil on a blue
background.
The three leaves represent the three duties and the three parts
of the promise, the two five point-stars stand for the promise and
the law and the vein in the centre represents the compass
needle showing the right way. The base of the trefoil stands for
the flame of the love of humanity and the colours blue and gold
represent the sun shining over all children in the world.
The World Badge, incorporating the trefoil, was first adopted at
the 11th World Conference in Evian, France in 1946.
The World Association Badge, similar in design to the World
Badge, was first adopted at the 7th World Conference in Bucze,
near Górki Wielkie in Poland, in 1932. It is worn by members of
the World Board, its Committees, World Bureau and World
Centre staff.